Dual container work processing device



June 10, 1969 M. ISAACSON DUAL CONTAINER WORK PROCESSING DEVICE SheetFiled Feb. 15, 1968 IIIII llllll INVENTOR. ISAACS ON MAX June 10, 1969M. ISAACSON 3,448,747

DUAL CONTAINER WORK PROCESSING DEVICE Filed Feb. 15, 1968 Sheet 2' of 4FIG-5 INVENTOR. MAX ISAACSON ATTORNEY June 10, 1969 M. ISAACSON DUALCONTAINER WORK PROCESSING DEVICE Sheet Filed Feb. 15, 1968 FIG-8 I l I 1I l I I I I I I r II II INVENTQR. ISAACSON ME W MAX

AT TO RNEY June 10, 1969 AA QN 3,448,747

DUAL CONTAINER WORK PROCESSING DEVICE Filed Feb. 15, 1968 Sheet of I FIG--9 INVENTOR. MAX ISA AQSON MKW attorney United States Patent 3,448,747DUAL CONTAINER WORK PROCESSING DEVICE Max Isaacson, 410 W. NottinghamRoad, Dayton, Ohio 45405 Filed Feb. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 705,703 .Int. Cl.B08b 3/06, 3/02, 3/04 US. Cl. 134120 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis invention relates to a device for removing dirt, grease and othercontaminants from parts and assemblies used in industrial production.

One of the devices in use at the present time employs a magnetostrictivetransducer to apply ultrasonic vibrations at frequencies of about 20,000cycles per second to a liquid solvent contained in .a tub. Also in thistub and usually contained in a wire basket are the parts to be cleaned.The ultrasonic vibrations cause an intense cavitational field in theliquid solvent; the bursting bubbles force the dirt off the parts to becleaned. Neither the tub nor the wire basket containing the partsparticipate in the cleaning action but serve merely as containers forthe liquid and for the parts respectively.

However, experience has shown that ultrasonic cleaning fails to removelarge particles of dirt and grease, and is also ineffective when theparts to be cleaned are assemblies of components which may shield thecritical areas to be cleaned. Furthermore, if these assemblies includecomponents with small amounts of free play like the balls in the race ofa ball bearing, then the high-frequency cavitational field will producesuch high vibratory accelerations of the balls in the race that theballs will develop flat spots and the races will also be damaged.

It is one object of this invention to provide a simple and practicaldevice for cleaning parts which is capable of removing large as well assmall particles of dirt or contaminant.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cleaning apparatuscapable of removing dirt particles without damaging the parts to becleaned.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus forcleaning parts having internal portions shielded from ready access tothe cleaning fluid.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forcleaning industrial parts wherein the parts are caused to follow anorbital path during the cleaning action.

These and other objects of this invention will become more readilyapparent upon a reading of the following specification and uponreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the cleaningapparatus of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view in cross section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a screen element showing the motionof the cleaning fluid therethrough,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 3 showing an alternateembodiment of the screen element,

FIG. 5 is a view showing a further embodiment of the invention with theaddition of a recirculating system for screening the liquid,

FIG. -6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing anadditional means for transmitting vibrations from the tub to the screen,

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing means for preventingsplashing of cleaning liquid from the tub,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing further embodiments of myinvention,

FIG. 9 is a side view similar to FIG. 2 but of a further embodiment ofthe invention, and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a still furtherembodiment of the invention.

The cleaning apparatus of the invention employs a vibratory tank intowhich a perforated container is placed. The parts to be cleaned are heldwithin the perforated container and cleaning fluid is admitted to thetank. The perforated container is so constructed and arranged withrespect to the tank that vibratory and turbulent motions of the liquidare created which serve to effectively remove all dirt particles,regardless of size.

In the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 there isprovided a tank 1 of generally rectangular configuration, containing acleaning liquid 30 and a screen 2 into which the parts to be cleaned areplaced. The tank is flexibly supported within a frame 32 by springs 3,3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the springs 3, 3 are offset from the planeof symmetry; however the springs may be located symmetrically withrespect to the tank 1 and screen 2. The tank is caused to vibrate by anelectromagnetic means including electromagnets 4, 4 which act upon thearmature 5 which is welded or otherwise aflrxed to the tank 1. A cover 6is placed over the tank and screen and as shown in FIG. 1 is held inplace by a series of wing nuts 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, on respective studs8a, 8b, 8c and 8d. The electromagnets may be alternately energized bysuitable electrical impulses such as alternate rectified half-wavepulses. The tank 1 and the screen 2 are caused to vibrate by such means,thus setting in motion a vibratory and turbulent flow of the cleaningliquid 30. The cover 6 may be provided with a transparent plate 22 topermit observation of the cleaning process if desired. While the frame32 constitutes the primary support for the tank 1 it may be providedwith trunnions 48, 48 for pivotally supporting the frame 32 (asindicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1) in a stand 50.

The screen 2 is so shaped as to provide a chamber 34 between the tank 1and the screen 2 which is normally filled with liquid. As the tank andthe screen vibrate about an effective pivot point located near thecenter of the springs 3, 3, the liquid entrapped in the chamber 34between the screen and the tank is forced to flow through the openingsin the screen and over the work parts contained within said screen. Therelative velocity between the liquid and the work parts contained in thescreen is accentuated because when the screen and parts move in onedirection, the liquid flows in the opposite direction through theperforations and over the work parts. The velocity of this flow may befurther increased if the screen is flexibly mounted with respect to thetank 1 and is so tuned mechanically that under the forced vibrations ofthe tank 1 the screen 2 moves in phase with and through largeramplitudes than the tank 1. The additions of fins and vanes to themoving elements in the liquid can also be used to increase the flowrates, turbulence, and cleaning elfectiveness. As shown in FIG. 8, amounting frame 150 supports a tank 101 via the trunnions 148, 148. A

perforated screen element 102 is suspended wtihin tank 101 by means ofthe springs 103, 103. Each spring 103 is mounted at its lower end 104 tothe outside of the tank 101, and at its upper end 105 to a spacerelement 106. A

flexible mounting of the screen Wtihin the tank may be thus provided.

As further shown in FIG. 8, the screen element 102 may be directlyvibrated while the tank 101 remains relatively motionless. In thisconfiguration the cleaning fluid 130 is caused to flow turbulentlythrough the perforations in the screen 102 and over the parts to becleaned. The means for vibrating the screen may be any motive sourcewhich creates vibrations, but preferably is the electromagnets 114, 114,which are mounted in the bottom of tank 101, and which coact with anarmature or paddle element 115 which is affixed to the bottom of screen102. Upon vibratory motion of the screen 102, the element 115 acts as apaddle to cause additional flow and turbulence of the cleaning fluid130'.

The flow through the holes in the screen is turbulent and containsconsiderable jet action which is effective in cleaning the parts. Asshown in FIG. 3 an ordinary screen 2 of suitable mesh may be employedhaving openings 9, 9 for permitting the flow of the liquid to passthrough the screen.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate form of screen means in the form of aperforated plate 39 having a series of venturi inserts 40, 40 insertedin the screen to increase the effectiveness of the jet flows.

The liquid used to wash the parts may be of any of several commerciallyavailable solvents such as trichloroethane. In order to conserve andpurify the liquid a system may be employed such as shown in FIG. 5. Aconduit 11 is suitably connected for removing the fiuid from the bottomof the tank 1 and for conducting same to a settling tank 12. The tank 12contains a baffle plate 13 located adjacent to the influx of liquid andserves to separate the majority of dirt particles from the flow. Afurther means for purifying this flow is the filter 14 through which theliquid is next strained. The filtered liquid is then pumped by a pump 15back to the tank 1 via the conduit 42. A flow adjusting valve 16 andadditional filter-cleaner 17 are provided in the flow line for furtherdecontamination and flow adjustment. Other cleaning means such asdistillation and/or centrifuging can be used. The cover plate 44 hasaffixed thereto a spray tube 18 to which the conduit 42 is connected.Openings 46, 46 are provided in the lower portion of tube 18 to returnthe liquid to tank 1.

In the embodiment of the invention in which the tank 1 is directlyvibrated, it is important that the vibrations of the tank 1 betransmitted to the screen 2 with minimum loss of energy. In FIG. 6 thereis shown a positive means in the form of a spring clip 24 for effectingsuch motion transfer. The clip 24 may be welded to the tank 1 or to thescreen 2 (not shown). When screen element 2 is set inside the tank 1 andfastened in place by means of wing nuts 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the screen isforced against said spring clip 24. Consequently, when the tank 1 isforced to vibrate, the screen 2 vibrates conjointly with the tank 1. Aseries of such clips 24 may be employed, if desired.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a means for preventing the splashing of theliquid out of tank 1. The tank is provided with a peripheral flange orvertical lip 19 which extends continuously around the periphery of thetop of tank 1 and is attached thereto. The screen element 2 has cutouts20 at several stations around its perimeter. When the liquid containedin tank 1 splashes upwards it may seep out between the tank 1 and thescreen. This liquid will be entrapped by the lip 19 and fiow back intothe tank through the openings 20. The cover 44 is employed to fasten thescreen 2 tightly against the tank 1 and may be provided with a handle 23to permit the operator to lift it easily off the tank 1.

In all of the embodiments of the invention one of the two containers 1or 2 is caused to be oscillated by an electromagnetic means, and theparts contained within the screen element 2 are caused thereby to travelin an orbital path. In order to provide for freer and greater movementof the parts with the screen element it may be desirable to form thelatter into a tubular member such as shown at in FIG. 9. In this eventthe screen would be provided with a portion thereof hinged at 158 andappropriately fastened (not shown) by a releasable latching means.Alternatively the element 155 could be side loaded (not shown).

Should even a more positive flow of parts be desired so as to insureorbital movement of parts (especially desirable where relatively heavyparts are to be cleaned), then a motorized drive may be provided for thescreen element such as shown at in FIG. 10. The screen element isprovided with end caps 168 and 172. The end cap 168 may have joinedthereto or formed thereon a stub shaft 166 which is journaled into asplit bushing 162, 164. The lower member 164 of this bushing can besuitably affixed to the inside of the tank 1 in any desirable manner,and the element 162 is preferably releasably fastened (not shown) as bynut or bolts to the lower member 164 but is not afiixed to the tank 1.This will enable ready assembly and disassembly of the screen 170. Thecap member 172 is provided with a similar shaft 174, however this shaftis much longer and passes through the split bushing 171 and 169 andthrough a suitably sealed opening (not shown) in the opposite tank wall.The split bushing 171, 169 may be similarly arranged as the bushing 162,162 in that the lower member 171 is affixed t0 the wall of the tank andthe upper member 169 is releasably assembled to the lower member 171 butis not afiixed to the tank 1. The shaft 174 is coupled to the driveshaft 178 of a suitable drive motor through a suitable fiexible coupling176.

In all of the embodiments of the invention as illustrated in thedrawings like reference numbers have been applied to the identical partswhere they are used in different species of the invention. Althoughspecific embodiments have been shown and described, it will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications andrearrangements of parts may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Thus,for example, the mounting of the shafts 166, 174 with respect to theaxis of the screen 170 may coincide therewith, or be eccentric theretoas shown in FIG. 10.

What I claim is:

1. A work processing device, comprising in combination:

an outer imperforate container adapted to contain a liquid medium, aperforated container immersed in said outer container and so mounted andarranged within said outer container as to permit only one degree offreedom of motion of said perforated container and to provide aneffectively fixed pivotal axis therefor, said perforated container beingemployed to contain work to be processed;

and motive power means adapted to impart linear oscillatory impulses tosaid device and to said liquid at a point remote from the said mounting,whereby said impulses forcibly bodily displace said perforated containerthrough said liquid and said liquid through the perforations of saidperforated container through an appreciable amplitude so as to cause jetflow of liquid through the perforations of said perforated container.

2. The work processing device of claim 1 wherein the walls of said twocontainers are rigidly connected to one another over a substantial areato create a fluid chamber therebetween.

3. The work processing device of claim 2 wherein the containers are soconstructed and arranged that said chamber is closed at its upperportion and has its maximum volumetric capacity at its lowermostportion.

4. A work processing device, comprising in combination:

an outer imperforate container adapted to contain a 5 liquid medium,said outer imperforate container being mounted on a support and arrangedas to permit substantially only one degree of freedom of motion thereofand to provide an effectively fixed pivotal axis therefor;

a perforated container mounted and arranged within said outerimperforate container to be immersed within said liquid, said perforatedcontainer being employed to contain work to be processed;

motive power means adapted to impart linear oscillatory impulses to saidperforated container and liquid at a point on said container remote fromits mounting;

said perforated container being so mounted as to move in the directionof application of said impulses and to have said impulses imparted at apoint remote from its mounting, said perforated container having itsperforations disposed in the said direction of application of saidimpulses;

spring means associated with said device and so arranged whereby saidimpulses forcibly displace said perforated container through anappreciable amplitude so that when liquid and work parts are present inthe device there will be produced an orbital motion of the parts withinthe perforated container and 2 jet flow of the liquid through theperforations of said perforated container. 5. The work processing deviceof claim 4 wherein said perforated container is in the form of anenclosed tube which is arranged substantially coextensive with saidimperforate container and is freely movable therein.

6. The Work processing device of claim 5 wherein said perforatedcontainer is provided with means for positively rotating same duringapplication of said oscillatory motion.

7. The work processing device of claim 4, including References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,198,637 4/ 1940 Smith 25972 2,222,776 11/1940Linke et al.

2,591,209 4/1952 Smith 13486 XR 3,101,728 8/1963 Broge r 134-111XR3,132,845 5/ 1964 Norty 2591 XR 5 ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

